Programme Overview
The MacDay program is designed to provide valuable insights and foster engaging discussions on key topics within the macadamia industry. We have assembled a lineup of esteemed speakers who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in their respective fields.
Our speakers will cover a range of subjects, from the latest industry trends and economic outlooks to innovative agricultural practices and sustainability strategies. Each session is crafted to offer practical takeaways, stimulate thought, and encourage collaboration among attendees.
We are honored to have experts from diverse backgrounds, including renowned academics, industry leaders, and forward-thinking entrepreneurs, who will share their expertise and perspectives. Their contributions will undoubtedly enrich our understanding and inspire us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in our industry.
Prepare to be informed, inspired, and engaged as we dive into today’s sessions.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
SAMAC welcomes our MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Michael Mol
Michael didn’t go for career counselling, which might explain why he’s a medical doctor, an executive film & TV series producer, a renowned presenter, a health-tech entrepreneur (co-founder of Hello Doctor), a global speaker, consultant, author and most recently CEO of TruthTV.
Michael makes health simple to understand & practical to apply so that you can stop fretting about your well-being and start enjoying it – because, as he often says: “Life’s so much better when you’re healthy, and being healthy is so much easier than you think.”
SPEAKERS
Hannelie Human
Researcher
University of Pretoria
University of New England, Brisbane, Australia
Dr Hannelie Human is an extra ordinary lecturer and NRF rated researcher in the Department of Zoology and Entomology in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Pretoria. With her research, she aims to increase our understanding of factors that may contribute to the loss of honeybee colonies in South Africa. More specifically, she investigates the effect of pesticides, nutrition, pathogens and parasites which, when interlinked, adversely affect both honeybee health. More recently, research aimed at crop specific plant-pollinator interactions.
Thembeka Mkhize
MSc student, University of Pretoria
Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)
Ms. Thembeka Mkhize is a master’s student with the Macadamia Protection Programme at FABI, supervised by Dr. Gerda Fourie. Her research focuses on integrated pest management options for the two-spotted stink bug (Bathycoelia distincta) in macadamia orchards. Specifically, she is identifying alternative plant hosts for the stink bug through metabarcoding analysis of plant material found in their gut. Additionally, she is investigating the removal of the stink bug’s bacterial symbiont by surface sterilizing stink bug eggs with registered micronutrient fertilizers.
Dr. Fahimeh Jami
Senior Researcher
Agricultural Research Council
Dr Fahimeh Jami is a senior researcher at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) with over 20 years’ experience in the field of plant pathology specifically fungal diseases that impact both native and non-native trees in agricultural and forestry. With an extensive background as a plant pathologist, Dr Jami has emerged as a leading authority in her field, utilizing her expertise to delve into the intricate relationships between fungi and their host plants. Her pioneering research efforts have focused primarily on fungal diseases causing dieback, an issue of critical importance in maintaining the health and productivity of various tree species.
Elizabeth Joubert
Researcher
Levubu Centre for Excellence PTY Ltd
I am a thorough and well-organized person who works well in a team and independently. I am self-motivated, disciplined, energetic and pro-active. I studied B.Sc. Conservation Ecology at Stellenbosch University with distinctions in Agriculture Economics, Entomology, Conservation Ecology and Zoology. I obtained my M.Sc. degree with cum laude in 2011 and completed my Ph.D. degree while working full time for SAMAC in 2014. During the consecutive few years worked at SAMAC, I gained experience in the technological advances used across the country in macadamia management systems. Since I’ve started my own business, I have remained involved in the macadamia industry, serving on the research and development committee. The past two years of my life have been consumed by the Research Project “Integrator” at SAMAC.
Steffan Hansen
Postdoctoral fellow
Stellenbosch University
I am a general entomologist who works mainly in agricultural systems. I finished a BScAgric, with plant pathology and entomology as majors, at Stellenbosch University in 2019. I since went on to specialize in entomology during my postgraduate studies, working on a pest weevil species complex’ taxonomy, biological control and physiology in a collaboration between Stellenbosch University and CIRAD/INRAE researchers. I am currently busy with a postdoctoral fellowship under Professor Francois Roets at Stellenbosch University focussing on various biological control approaches for the polyphagous shot-hole borer, a threat to native, urban and agricultural trees.
Hardus Du Toit
Technical Manager
SAPPA
Hardus, currently 36, grew up on a pecan farm and is still involved in their family farming operation. Farming 65 ha of pecans between 4 and 35 years old in Vaalharts in the Northern Cape province. Working for SAPPA, The South African Pecan Nut Producers Association NPC, for the past 11 years. As the Technical Manager he shares his passion for pecan production with farmers across SA.
Byron Sonnekus
PhD candidate, University of Pretoria
Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)
Byron Sonnekus is a PhD candidate in the Macadamia Protection Program (FABI at UP). His current research focuses on improving our understanding of the causative agents, specifically Neopestalotiopsis spp., of macadamia dry flower disease in South Africa using genetic and genomic tools. The development of a rapid diagnostic tool to detect these pathogens is another focus of his research.
Dr. Angelique Kritzinger
Lecturer
University of Pretoria
Dr. Angelique Kritzinger is a lecturer within the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Pretoria. She has an interest in understanding the fundamental mechanisms governing plant reproductive biology of crop tree species, emphasizing pollination dynamics and the role of non-structural carbohydrates in modulating flowering processes and flowering intensity. Her work delves into unraveling how environmental factors and physiological processes intersect to influence the reproductive success of economically significant plant species.
Gerda Fourie
Researcher
Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)
Gerda Fourie is the primary Investigator of the Macadamia Protection Programme. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the research programme’s goal is to conduct solution-orientated research that will translate to practical pest and disease management options for macadamia growers. Current research focus areas include a number of economically important pests such as the two-spotted stink bug (B. distincta), Macadamia felted coccid (Acanthococcus ironsidei) as well as ambrosia beetles and their fungal symbionts. In terms of diseases, on-going research focus on branch, nut as well as flower diseases.
Nicky Taylor
Senior Lecturer
University of Pretoria
I am a senior lecturer in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Pretoria. My research focusses on fruit tree water use and plant water relations. My research group quantifies water use of fruit tree orchards and then tries to model the water use to allow our results to be extrapolated to a wide range of orchards across South Africa over a number of years. We also quantify plant water relations in order to determine the main drivers for water use in each crop to allow us to select the best modelling approach.
Jillian Laing
Chief Executive Officer
World Macadamia Organisation
Jillian Laing is an international food marketer. She is a New Zealander and has lived in Australia, South East Asia, China and Europe, and has worked in all continents. Jillian is the inaugural CEO of the World Macadamia Organisation, an organisation established to champion the potential of macadamias globally. The remit includes building awareness and understanding of macadamias, product standards, industry data, and nutrition positioning. Jillian has managed high profile brands in the snacking and dairy sectors, delivering financial results and brand health metrics. Jillian is passionate about health orientated foods, understanding the interplay of food and different cultures, and loves that World Macadamia Organisation is promoting products linked to farmers and the land.
Alex Whyte
General Manager
Green Farms
Alex’s grew up on the Whyte family’s avocado and macadamia farm in the Levubu region. He spent 11 years working in the UK in retail as well as in the fresh produce sector and agricultural commodity trading before joining Green & Gold macadamias- the largest single macadamia marketer globally- as sales manager. Upon returning to South Africa he has joined Green Farms Nut Company. Alex has an MBA in Agricultural Business from the Royal Agricultural University, U.K.
PJ Venter
Chief Executive Officer
Mayo Macs SA
Over the past 18 years, PJ has held the CEO role at Mayo Macs SA. His leadership and strategic insight have been instrumental in Mayo Macs’ continued success and growth. PJ has a rich background in engineering and business leadership. Born in Namibia and educated in Pretoria, PJ Venter holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pretoria and a Bachelor of Commerce in Quantitative Management from the University of South Africa.
Jonathan Maluta Mudzunga
Chief Director
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Mr Mudzunga is the Chief Director for Inspection and Quarantine Services and Registrar of the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act No. 36 of 1947) in the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. An agricultural scientist’s graduate with BSc and MSc degrees, his career began as researcher with the Agricultural Researcher Council. Mr Mudzunga gained.